DATE: February 2, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Meyer, Public Information Officer
PHONE: 954-359-6116
EMAIL: gmeyer@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Administrator Bertha Henry has announced that Mark E. Gale will be the next Aviation Department Director for Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
Today, the Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve Henry's recommendation to hire Gale as Kent G. George's successor.
"I am honored and very pleased to have been selected. I look forward to working with the Board of County Commissioners, the County Administrator, the hard-working and dedicated employees of FLL and North Perry (HWO) Airports, and all of the employees of Broward County," said Gale.
"There has been significant change and improvement at FLL over the last several years under County Administrator Bertha Henry and Aviation Director Kent George, and I'm excited to put my nearly 30 years of airport experience and skill set to work for Broward County," said Gale.
FLL serves as a major economic engine and transportation portal for the region, especially when combined with the Seaport. "I look forward to maintaining and enhancing FLL's status in the years to come. Many county residents and patrons of FLL already enjoy its easy access, diverse air service, passenger-friendly amenities and great customer service...all facets that make FLL attractive, and that should continue."
Gale is expected to take over as Director of Aviation for Broward County in late March, including leadership of FLL and HWO general aviation airport. Gale recently left Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) after serving as the airport's Chief Executive Officer for seven of his nearly 28 years there.
Gale graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and joined Philadelphia International full-time in 1989.
From 1996 to 2000, Gale was Airport Operations Manager. In 2001, as Deputy Director of Aviation for operations and facilities, he supervised managers in security, safety, maintenance, information technology, engineering design, construction, emergency plans, grounds, and snow removal. Gale also managed daily operations at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, a general aviation reliever airport. In 2009, he became the airport's Chief Executive Officer.
Gale was named Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Executive of the Year in 2012, received the SmartCEO Circle of Excellence Award in Hospitality in 2013, and received the Secretary Ray LaHood "Man of the Year Award" in 2015 by Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), Philadelphia Chapter.
Kent G. George is expected to stay engaged in department operations through a transition period once Gale takes over.
About Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport ranks 21st in the U.S. in total passenger traffic. With over 650 flights a day, FLL offers nonstop service to 125 U.S. cities and international destinations to Canada, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Latin American, and Europe. Strategically located in the heart of the South Florida region, FLL is one of the economic engines that drive Broward County and provides 139,920 jobs and generates $13.2 billion annually for the local economy. Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. The Aviation Department also operates the North Perry Airport, a general aviation airport for private and charter aircraft operators. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter@FLLFlyer or visit fll.net.